Determining telecommunication subscriber metrics

ABSTRACT

Information associated with a communication is gathered at a switching point during the routing process to determine subscriber metric information associated with an active service identifier. The information relates to the originator of the communication and the target. The information is compared to a provider database to determine a carrier originally associated with the active service identifier. The information is then compared to a porting database to determine if the active service identifier was ported, and if so, to which carrier the active service identifier was ported. A determination can then be made regarding which carrier is associated with the active service identifier. Various systems and methods may be used to determine a number of subscribers, a number of new subscribers, and a number of disconnected subscribers for a given carrier in a given market.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The instant application is a continuation of, and claims priority to,U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/409,402, filed Mar. 1, 2012. U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/409,402 is a continuation-in-part of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 12/423,371, filed Apr. 14, 2009, whichissued on May 13, 2014, with U.S. Pat. No. 8,725,108. U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/409,402 is incorporated by reference herein inits entirety. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/423,371 isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety. U.S. Pat. No.8,725,108 is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Communications services have become an important part of modern life(e.g., phone service, internet service, text messaging service, pagingservice, GPS service, music service, gaming service, and the like), ashave the devices associated with the communications (e.g., telephones,including cellular telephones, computers, notebook computers, personaldigital assistants, music players, gaming systems and the like). As oneexample, cellular telephone usage has proliferated rapidly over the pastdecade. By some estimates, cellular telephone usage in the United Statesalone has grown from 34 million users in 1995 to over 200 million in2005.

Subscriber metrics describe characteristics of subscribers, especiallyas they relate to carriers. For example, subscriber metrics may estimatecarrier market share (e.g., the number of subscribers associated with agiven carrier in a market as a percentage of the total number ofsubscribers in the market), the number of subscribers associated with acarrier in a market, carrier churn rate, carrier activation rate (ornumber of activations for a carrier in a given period), carrierdeactivation rate (or number of deactivations for a carrier in a givenperiod), and the like.

By analyzing subscriber metrics, carriers may be better able to utilizemarketing resources. This may include being able to determine needs orpreferences of subscribers and offering products or services that appealto those needs or preferences.

Changes in subscriber metrics may happen over short periods of time.Carriers may find it beneficial to be apprised of subscriber metricsoften and with little lag time. For example, if carriers are timelyinformed of changes in the needs or preferences of subscribers, carriersmay be able to reallocate resources in response to changing subscriberneeds or preferences.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary that describes some aspectsor embodiments of the subject disclosure. This summary is not anextensive overview of the disclosure. Indeed, additional or alternativeembodiments of the subject disclosure may be available beyond thosedescribed in the summary.

The disclosed embodiments provide systems, methods, and computer-mediacomprising instructions for determining subscriber metrics based oninformation gathered in a communications network.

A communication, such as a phone call for example, may be routed througha network. As part of the routing, the communication may be switched ata switching point. A record of the communication, such as a call detailrecord associated with a phone call, may be created at the switchingpoint in the network. The record may comprise information fieldsrelating to the communication, including information fields thatidentify an active service identifier(s) associated with thecommunication. For example, for a phone call, a call detail record maycomprise active service identifiers, such as an originating phone numberand/or a target phone number.

Information in the record may be compared to information in one or moredatabases to determine which carrier is associated with an identifiedactive service identifier. For example, still using a phone callexample, a phone number (e.g., the originating phone number and/ortarget phone number) may be compared to a service provider numberdatabase (e.g., a database that identifies the carrier that wasoriginally assigned to the number). An example of such a database is theLocal Exchange Routing Guide (LERG). Thus, the carrier originallyassigned to the phone number is determined.

The phone number may also be compared to a porting database (e.g., adatabase that identifies numbers that have been ported and the carrierinformation relating to the porting). An example of a porting databaseis the Local Number Portability (LNP) database. By comparing the phonenumber to the LNP, a determination of the carrier associated with thenumber may be performed. That is, the phone number may be associatedwith the carrier originally assigned to the phone number, unless theporting database indicates another carrier.

The carrier data may be aggregated to provide subscriber metrics. Forexample, as described above, a carrier may be associated with an activeservice identifier by using information from a communication of anytype, including a switched communication. When switching a large numberof communications, a large number of active service identifiers may beidentified (e.g., a carrier may switch a large amount of communicationsin a particular market). Further, each of the identified active serviceidentifiers may have an associated carrier. By aggregating the activeservice identifiers associated with a given carrier in a market, thenumber of subscribers for that carrier may be calculated (i.e., a numberof subscribers for the given carrier in a particular market may bedetermined). In addition, by comparing the amount of subscribersassociated with the given carrier in a market with an estimated ordetermined total number of subscribers in the market, a market share forthe given carrier may be determined.

In an embodiment, a subscriber count for a particular carrier inparticular area determined using any methods and systems disclosedherein may be adjusted based on publicly reported numbers for thatcarrier for a larger or different area. The difference (e.g., percentagedifference) between the count/market share determined for the largerarea using alternate means, such as those disclosed herein, and thecount/market share as publicly disclosed by the particular carrier maybe used to adjust the count/market share for smaller or other areasdetermined using means such as those disclosed herein.

Disclosed systems, methods, and computer-executable instructions may beused to determine or estimate a number of subscribers for a particularcarrier. In an embodiment, a first count of subscribers associated witha first carrier in a first area may be determined for a first timeperiod, and a second count of subscribers associated with the firstcarrier in the first area may be determined for a second time period. Anoverlap number of subscribers that appeared in both the first count andthe second count may be determined. A final estimate of the number ofsubscribers may be determined by dividing the product of the first countand the second count by the overlap count.

Disclosed systems, methods, and computer-executable instructions may beused to determine or estimate a number of subscribers that are newlyadded for a particular carrier. In an embodiment, a service identifieridentified in a second time period may be determined to have not beenpresent in data (e.g., call detail records) for a previous time period.If the service identifier has had a number of contacts (e.g., servicerequests) with the network that is at or above a threshold value, theservice identifier may be determined to be a new subscriber.

Disclosed systems, methods, and computer-executable instructions may beused to determine or estimate a number of subscribers that havedisconnected from a particular carrier or become deactivated. In anembodiment, a service identifier that has been detected in one or moreprevious time periods may be determined to have not been present in data(e.g., call detail records) for a current or more recent time period. Ifthe service identifier has previously had a number of contacts (e.g.,service requests) with the network that is at or above a thresholdvalue, the service identifier may be determined to be a disconnected ordeactivated subscriber.

Disclosed systems, methods, and computer-executable instructions may beused to detect a “text blast.” An example of a text blast may includesending messages to a large number of recipients. Although referred toas a text blast, such messages may contain text, graphics, images,video, multimedia, audio, or any combination thereof to multiplerecipients. Many of these recipients may be inactive subscribers. Upondetection of a text blast, analysis may be performed to confirm that thetext blast occurred and to determine which recipients of the text blastare inactive subscribers. The inactive subscribers may be removed from acount of total subscribers for the associated carrier.

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description, isbetter understood when read in conjunction with the drawings. For thepurpose of illustrating the claimed subject matter, there is shown inthe drawings examples that illustrate various embodiments; however, theinvention is not limited to the specific systems and methods disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates an overview of an illustrative network environmentin which aspects of one or more embodiments may be implemented.

FIG. 1B illustrates an illustrative GPRS network architecture in whichaspects of one or more embodiments may be implemented.

FIG. 2 illustrates an alternate block diagram of an illustrativeGSM/GPRS/IP multimedia network architecture in which aspects of one ormore embodiments may be implemented.

FIG. 3 illustrates an illustrative method of creating data relating tosubscribers based on communications routed through a network.

FIG. 4 illustrates an illustrative method to determine subscriber metricinformation.

FIG. 5 illustrates an illustrative method to determine deactivations.

FIG. 6 illustrates illustrative methods to determine subscriber metrics.

FIG. 7 illustrates another illustrative method to determine subscribermetric information.

FIG. 8 illustrates another illustrative method to determine subscribermetric information.

FIG. 9 illustrates an illustrative method to determine newly addedsubscriber metric information.

FIG. 10 illustrates an illustrative method to determine disconnectedsubscriber metric information.

FIG. 11 illustrates an illustrative method to determine subscribermetric information following a text blast.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a non-limiting illustrative mobile devicein which embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a non-limiting illustrative processor inwhich embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description that follows may refer to steps (i.e., portionsof a method). However, the disclosed steps and associated methods areillustrative. The order of the steps may be varied where appropriate. Inaddition, steps may be omitted if not needed and additional steps may beadded where appropriate.

The term “subscriber” may refer to an end user of a communicationservice, e.g., an end-user of phone service, internet service, textmessaging service, paging service, GPS service, music service, gamingservice, or the like. A subscriber of mobile telephone communicationservice may be referred to as a mobile subscriber. For example, a mobilesubscriber may be associated with a phone number that the mobilesubscriber uses with a mobile communications device, such as a cellulartelephone.

The terms “cellular telephone” and “mobile telephone” may be usedinterchangeably herein. Further, the term phone call may refer to anytype of phone call (e.g. a call from/to a cellular telephone, a callfrom/to a land line telephone, etc.).

The term “carrier” may refer to an entity that provides communicationservices to subscribers. For example, a carrier may route calls to orfrom a subscriber using networks owned or operated by the carrier and/orother networks.

Mobile subscribers may enter into an agreement for services with acarrier in order to be able to use associated cellular telephones.Further, carriers may compete to attract mobile subscribers.

The present disclosure describes with particular reference andapplication to mobile communications services, and in particular tomobile subscribers; however, the claimed embodiments are not intended tobe limited to mobile communications services or mobile subscribers. Theclaimed embodiments are equally applicable to any service capable ofperforming as herein described. For example, subscriber metrics may bedetermined as herein described for other services routed through anetwork (e.g., internet service, text messaging service, paging service,GPS service, music service, gaming service, and the like).

FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2 depict some example telephony radio networks andnon-limiting operating environments in which a call enhancement withlocalized information system may be implemented. The operatingenvironments described herein should be considered non-exhaustive,however, and thus the below-described network architecture merely showsan example network architecture in which aspects of various embodimentsmay be incorporated. One can appreciate, however, that aspects of anembodiment may be incorporated into now existing or future alternativearchitectures for communication networks.

The global system for mobile communication (“GSM”) is one of the mostwidely-used wireless access systems in today's fast growingcommunication systems. GSM provides circuit-switched data services tosubscribers, such as mobile telephone or computer users, for example.General Packet Radio Service (“GPRS”), which is an extension to GSMtechnology, introduces packet switching to GSM networks. GPRS uses apacket-based wireless communication technology to transfer high and lowspeed data and signaling in an efficient manner. GPRS optimizes the useof network and radio resources, thus enabling the cost effective andefficient use of GSM network resources for packet mode applications. Forpurposes of explanation, various embodiments are described herein inconnection with GSM. The references to GSM are not exclusive, however,as it should be appreciated that embodiments may be implemented inconnection with any type of wireless access system such as, for example,CDMA or the like.

As may be appreciated, the example GSM/GPRS environment and servicesdescribed herein can also be extended to 3G, 4G, Long Term Evolution(LTE), and LTE-Advanced services, including Universal Mobile TelephoneSystem (“UMTS”), Frequency Division Duplexing (“FDD”) and Time DivisionDuplexing (“TDD”), High Speed Packet Data Access (“HSPDA”), cdma2000 1xEvolution Data Optimized (“EVDO”), Code Division Multiple Access-2000(“cdma2000 3x”), Time Division Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access(“TD-SCDMA”), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (“WCDMA”), EnhancedData GSM Environment (“EDGE”), International MobileTelecommunications-2000 (“IMT-2000”), Digital Enhanced CordlessTelecommunications (“DECT”), etc., as well as to other network servicesthat shall become available in time. In this regard, the techniques ofthe various embodiments discussed below may be applied independently ofthe method of data transport, and does not depend on any particularnetwork architecture, or underlying protocols.

FIG. 1A depicts an overall block diagram of an example packet-basedmobile cellular network environment, such as a GPRS network, in whichaspects of an embodiment may be practiced. Those skilled in the art willrecognize that the example packet-based mobile cellular networkenvironment illustrated in FIG. 1A may also represent an LTE orLTE-Advanced network, and that the devices and components illustrated inFIG. 1A may have counterparts performing similar functions in LTE andLTE-Advanced networks. In such an environment, there may be any numberof subsystems that implement the functionality of the environment suchas, for example, a plurality of Base Station Subsystems (“BSS”) 100(only one is shown in FIG. 1A), each of which comprises a Base StationController (“BSC”) 104 serving a plurality of Base Transceiver Stations(“BTS”) such as, for example, the BTSs 101, 102 and 103. BTSs 101, 102and 103 may include antennas 101A, 102A and 103A respectively. BTS's maybe the access points where users of packet-based mobile devices becomeconnected to the wireless network. In an embodiment, the packet trafficoriginating from user devices (e.g., cellular phones) is transported viaan over the air interface to the BTS 103, and from the BTS 103 to theBSC 104. Base station subsystems, such as the BSS 100, may be a part ofinternal frame relay network 106 that may include Service GPRS SupportNodes (“SGSN”) such as the SGSN 105 and 107. Each SGSN 105, 107, etc.may be in turn connected to an internal packet network 108 through whichthe SGSN 105, 107, etc. can route data packets to and from a pluralityof gateway GPRS support nodes (GGSN) 111, 110, etc.

As illustrated, the SGSN 107 and the GGSNs 111 and 110 may be part ofthe internal packet network 108. Gateway GPRS serving nodes 111 and 110may provide an interface to external Internet Protocol (“IP”) networkssuch as Public Land Mobile Network (“PLMN”) 115, corporate intranets117, a Fixed-End System (“FES”) and/or the public Internet 113 and/orthe like. As illustrated, subscriber corporate network 117 may beconnected to the GGSN 111 via a firewall 112; and the PLMN 115 may beconnected to the GGSN 111 via a boarder gateway router 114. A RemoteAuthentication Dial-In User Service (“RADIUS”) server 116 may be usedfor caller authentication when a user of a mobile cellular device callscorporate network 117, for example.

Generally, there may be four or more cell sizes in a GSM network—macro,micro, pico and umbrella cells. The coverage area of each cell may bedifferent in different environments. Macro cells may be regarded ascells where the base station antenna is installed in a mast or abuilding above average roof top level. Micro cells may be cells whoseantenna height is under average roof top level; they are typically usedin urban areas. Pico cells may be small cells having a diameter is a fewdozen meters; they may be mainly used indoors. On the other hand,umbrella cells may be used to cover shadowed regions of smaller cellsand fill in gaps in coverage between those cells.

FIG. 1B illustrates the architecture of a typical GPRS network assegmented into four areas: users 115, radio access network 120, corenetwork 124 and interconnect network 137. The users area 115 may includea plurality of end users. The radio access network 120 may include aplurality of base station subsystems such as the BSSs 123, which includeBTSs 121 and BSCs 122. The core network 124 may include a host ofvarious network elements. As illustrated here, the core network 124 mayinclude a Mobile Switching Center (“MSC”) 125, a Service Control Point(“SCP”) 126, a gateway MSC 127, a SGSN 130, a Home Location Register(“HLR”) 129, an Authentication Center (“AuC”) 128, a Domain Name Server(“DNS”) 131 and a GGSN 132. The interconnect network 137 also mayinclude networks and network elements. As illustrated in FIG. 1B, theinterconnect network 137 may include a Public Switched Telephone Network(“PSTN”) 133, a Fixed-End System (“FES”) and/or the Internet 134, afirewall 135 and/or a Corporate Network 136.

A mobile switching center 125 may be connected to a large number of basestation controllers. At MSC 125, for example, depending on the type oftraffic, the traffic may be separated such that voice may be sent toPublic Switched Telephone Network (“PSTN”) 133 through Gateway MSC(“GMSC”) 127, and/or data may be sent to the SGSN 130, which then sendsthe data traffic to the GGSN 132 for further forwarding.

When the MSC 125 receives call traffic, for example, from the BSC 122,it may send a query to a database hosted by the SCP 126. The SCP 126 mayprocess the request and may issue a response to the MSC 125 so that itmay continue call processing as appropriate.

The HLR 129 may be a centralized database for users to register with theGPRS network. The HLR 129 may store static information about thesubscribers such as the International Mobile Subscriber Identity(“IMSI”), subscribed services, and/or a key for authenticating thesubscriber. The HLR 129 may also store dynamic subscriber informationsuch as the current location of the mobile subscriber. Associated withHLR 129 may be an AuC 128. The AuC 128 may be a database that containsthe algorithms for authenticating subscribers and may include theassociated keys for encryption to safeguard the user input forauthentication.

Any of the components described in relation to FIG. 1A may comprise aprocessor. A processor may include any hardware and/or softwarenecessary for operating and/or controlling the component and/orcomponents. A processor may have its own memory such as random accessmemory (RAM), register memory, cache memory, and the like. A processorassociated with a component may be in communication with one or more ofthe other components described in relation to FIG. 1A.

A processor may operate on computer-executable instructions that may bestored on a computer-readable medium (e.g., a memory, disk, etc.).Computer-executable instructions may include computer-readableinstructions, for example machine code, byte code, script language,runtime code, and the like. The computer-executable instructions, whenexecuted by the processor, may for example cause the processor toperform one or more parts of the functions and methods herein described.

In the following, depending on context, the term “mobile subscriber” mayalso refer to the actual portable device used by an end user of themobile cellular service as well as the end user. When a mobilesubscriber turns on a mobile device, the mobile device goes through anattach process by which the mobile device attaches to a SGSN of the GPRSnetwork. Referring now to FIG. 1B, mobile subscriber 119 may initiatethe attach process by turning on the network capabilities of the mobiledevice. An attach request may be sent by the mobile subscriber 119 tothe SGSN 130. The SGSN 130 may query another SGSN, to which the mobilesubscriber 119 may have been attached before, for the identity of themobile subscriber 119. Upon receiving the identity of the mobilesubscriber 119 from the other SGSN, the SGSN 130 may request moreinformation from the mobile subscriber 119. This information may be usedto authenticate the mobile subscriber 119 to the SGSN 130 by the HLR129. Once the mobile subscriber 119 is verified, the SGSN 130 may send alocation update to the HLR 129 indicating the change of location to anew SGSN, in this case the SGSN at 130. The HLR 129 may notify the oldSGSN, to which the mobile subscriber 119 was attached, to cancel thelocation process for the mobile subscriber 119. The HLR 129 may thennotify the SGSN 130 that the location update has been performed. At thistime, the SGSN 130 may send an “Attach Accept” message to the mobilesubscriber 119, which in turn, may send an “Attach Complete” message tothe SGSN 130.

After the attaching process, the mobile subscriber 119 may enter anauthentication process. In the authentication process, the SGSN 130 maysend authentication information to the HLR 129, which may sendinformation back to the SGSN 130 based on the user profile that was partof the user's initial setup. The SGSN 130 may then send a request forauthentication and ciphering to the mobile subscriber 119. The mobilesubscriber 119 may use an algorithm to send the user identification (ID)and/or a password to the SGSN 130. The SGSN 130 may use the samealgorithm to compare the result. If a match occurs, the SGSN 130 mayauthenticate the mobile subscriber 119.

Next, the mobile subscriber 119 may establish a user session with thedestination network, for example, the corporate network 136, by goingthrough a Packet Data Protocol (“PDP”) activation process. The mobilesubscriber 119 may request access to the Access Point Name (“APN”), forexample, UPS.com, and the SGSN 130 may receive the activation requestfrom the mobile subscriber 119. The SGSN 130 may then initiate a DomainName Service (“DNS”) query to learn which GGSN node has access to theUPS.com APN. The DNS query may be sent to the DNS server 131 within thecore network 124 which may be provisioned to map to one or more GGSNnodes in the core network 124. Based on the APN, the mapped GGSN 132 mayaccess the requested corporate network 136. The SGSN 130 may then sendto the GGSN 132 a Create Packet Data Protocol (“PDP”) Context Requestmessage. The GGSN 132 may send a Create PDP Context Response message tothe SGSN 130, which may then send an Activate PDP Context Accept messageto the mobile subscriber 119.

Once activated, data packets of the call made by the mobile subscriber119 may then go through radio access network 120, core network 124, andinterconnect network 137, to reach corporate network 136.

Any of the components described in relation to FIG. 1B may comprise aprocessor. A processor may include any hardware and/or softwarenecessary for operating and/or controlling the component and/orcomponents. A processor may have its own memory such as random accessmemory (RAM), register memory, cache memory, and the like. A processorassociated with a component may be in communication with one or more ofthe other components described in relation to FIG. 1B.

A processor may operate on computer-executable instructions that may bestored on a computer-readable medium (e.g., a memory, disk, etc.).Computer-executable instructions may include computer-readableinstructions, for example machine code, byte code, script language,runtime code, and the like. The computer-executable instructions, whenexecuted by the processor, may for example cause the processor toperform one or more parts of the functions and methods herein described.

FIG. 2 shows an example block diagram view of a GSM/GPRS/IP multimedianetwork architecture 138. As illustrated, the architecture 138 of FIG. 2includes a GSM core network 154, a GPRS network 157 and/or an IPmultimedia network 159. The GSM core network 154 may include a MobileStation (MS) 140, at least one Base Transceiver Station (BTS) 141,and/or a Base Station Controller (BSC) 142. The MS 140 may be MobileEquipment (ME), such as a mobile phone and/or a laptop computer that isused by mobile subscribers, with a Subscriber identity Module (SIM). TheSIM may include an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI),which may include a unique identifier of a subscriber. The BTS 141 maybe physical equipment, such as a radio tower, that enables a radiointerface to communicate with the MS 140. Each BTS may serve more thanone MS 140. The BSC 142 may manage radio resources, including the BTS141. The BSC 142 may be connected to several BTS 141. The BSC 142 andBTS 141 components, in combination, are generally referred to as a basestation (BS) and/or a radio access network (RAN) 143.

The GSM core network 154 may include a Mobile Switching Center (MSC)144, a Gateway Mobile Switching Center (GMSC) 145, a Home LocationRegister (HLR) 146, a Visitor Location Register (VLR) 147, anAuthentication Center (AuC) 148, and an Equipment Identity Register(EIR) 149. The MSC 144 may perform a switching function for the network.The MSC may perform other functions, such as registration,authentication, location updating, handovers, and call routing. The GMSC145 may provide a gateway between the GSM network and other networks,such as an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) or a PublicSwitched Telephone Network (PSTN) 150. In other words, the GMSC 145 mayprovide interworking functionality with external networks.

The HLR 146 may include a database that contains administrativeinformation regarding each subscriber registered in a corresponding GSMnetwork. The HLR 146 may contain the current location of each mobilesubscriber. The VLR 147 may include a database that contains selectedadministrative information from the HLR 146. The VLR may containinformation necessary for call control and provision of subscribedservices for each mobile subscriber currently located in a geographicalarea controlled by the VLR 147. The HLR 146 and the VLR 147, togetherwith MSC 144, may provide call routing and roaming capabilities of theGSM network. The AuC 148 may provide parameters for authenticationand/or encryption functions. Such parameters may allow verification of asubscriber's identity. The EIR 149 may store security-sensitiveinformation about the mobile equipment.

The Short Message Service Center (SMSC) 151 may allow one-to-one ShortMessage Service (SMS) messages to be sent to/from the mobile subscriber140. For example, the Push Proxy Gateway (PPG) 152 may be used to “push”(i.e., send without a synchronous request) content to mobile subscriber119. The PPG 152 may act as a proxy between wired and wireless networksto facilitate pushing of data to MS 140. Short Message Peer to Peer(SMPP) protocol router 153 may be provided to convert SMS-based SMPPmessages to cell broadcast messages. SMPP may include a protocol forexchanging SMS messages between SMS peer entities such as short messageservice centers. It may allow third parties, e.g., content supplierssuch as news organizations, to submit bulk messages.

To gain access to GSM services, such as speech, data, and short messageservice (SMS), the MS 140 may first register with the network toindicate its current location by performing a location update and IMSIattach procedure. MS 140 may send a location update including itscurrent location information to the MSC/VLR, via the BTS 141 and the BSC142. The location information may then be sent to the MS's HLR. The HLRmay be updated with the location information received from the MSC/VLR.The location update may also be performed when the MS moves to a newlocation area. Typically, the location update may be periodicallyperformed to update the database as location updating events occur.

GPRS network 157 may be logically implemented on the GSM core networkarchitecture by introducing two packet-switching network nodes, aserving GPRS support node (SGSN) 155 and a Gateway GPRS support node(GGSN) 156. The SGSN 155 may be at the same hierarchical level as theMSC 144 in the GSM network. The SGSN may control the connection betweenthe GPRS network and the MS 140. The SGSN may also keep track ofindividual MS locations, security functions, and access controls.

The Cell Broadcast Center (CBC) 171 may communicate cell broadcastmessages that are typically delivered to multiple users in a specifiedarea. A Cell Broadcast may include a one-to-many geographically focusedservice. It may enable messages to be communicated to multiple mobilephone customers who are located within a given part of its networkcoverage area at the time the message is broadcast.

The GGSN 156 may provide a gateway between the GPRS network and a publicpacket network (PDN) or other IP networks 158. That is, the GGSN mayprovide interworking functionality with external networks, and may setup a logical link to the MS through the SGSN. When packet-switched dataleaves the GPRS network, it is transferred to external TCP-IP network158, such as an X.25 network or the Internet. In order to access GPRSservices, the MS first attaches itself to the GPRS network by performingan attach procedure. The MS then activates a packet data protocol (PDP)context, thus activating a packet communication session between the MS,the SGSN, and the GGSN.

In a GSM/GPRS network, GPRS services and GSM services may be used inparallel. The MS may operate in one three classes: class A, class B, andclass C. A class A MS may attach to the network for both GPRS servicesand GSM services simultaneously. A class A MS may also supportsimultaneous operation of GPRS services and GSM services. For example,class A mobiles may receive GSM voice/data/SMS calls and GPRS data callsat the same time. The class B MS may attach to the network for both GPRSservices and GSM services simultaneously. However, the class B MS maynot support simultaneous operation of the GPRS services and GSMservices. That is, the class B MS may use one of the two services at agiven time. A class C MS may attach to one of the GPRS services and GSMservices at a time. A class C MS can attach for only one of the GPRSservices and GSM services at a time. Simultaneous attachment andoperation of GPRS services and GSM services is not possible with a classC MS.

The GPRS network 157 may be designed to operate in three networkoperation modes (NOM1, NOM2 and NOM3). A network operation mode of aGPRS network may be indicated by a parameter in system informationmessages transmitted within a cell. The system information messages maydictate to a MS where to listen for paging messages and how signaltowards the network. The network operation mode may represent thecapabilities of the GPRS network. In a NOM1 network, a MS may receivepages from a circuit switched domain (voice call) when engaged in a datacall. The MS may suspend the data call or take both simultaneously,depending on the ability of the MS. In a NOM2 network, a MS may notreceive pages from a circuit switched domain when engaged in a datacall, since the MS is receiving data and is not listening to a pagingchannel In a NOM3 network, a MS may monitor pages for a circuit switchednetwork while receiving data and vice versa.

IP multimedia network 159 was introduced with 3GPP Release 5, andincludes IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) 160 to provide rich multimediaservices to end users. A representative set of the network entitieswithin IMS 160 are a call/session control function (CSCF), media gatewaycontrol function (MGCF) 162, media gateway (MGW) 165, and a mastersubscriber database, referred to as a home subscriber server (HSS) 168.HSS 168 may be common to GSM network 154, GPRS network 157 as well as IPmultimedia network 159.

IP multimedia system 160 is built around the call/session controlfunction, of which there are three types: interrogating CSCF (I-CSCF)164, proxy CSCF (P-CSCF) 161 and serving CSCF (S-CSCF) 163. P-CSCF 161may be the MS's first point of contact with IMS 160. P-CSCF 161 forwardssession initiation protocol (SIP) messages received from the MS to anSIP server in a home network (and vice versa) of the MS. P-CSCF 161 mayalso modify an outgoing request according to a set of rules defined bythe network operator (for example, address analysis and potentialmodification).

The I-CSCF 164 may be an entrance to a home network, may hide the innertopology of the home network from other networks, and may provideflexibility for selecting an S-CSCF. The I-CSCF 164 may contactsubscriber location function (SLF) 169 to determine which HSS 168 to usefor the particular subscriber, if multiple HSSs 168 are present. TheS-CSCF 163 may perform the session control services for the MS 140. Thisincludes routing originating sessions to external networks and routingterminating sessions to visited networks. S-CSCF 163 may also decidewhether application server (AS) 167 is required to receive informationon an incoming SIP session request to ensure appropriate servicehandling. This decision may be based on information received from HSS168 (or other sources, such as application server 167). The AS 167 alsocommunicates to location server 170 (e.g., a Gateway Mobile LocationCenter (GMLC)) that provides a position (e.g., latitude/longitudecoordinates) of the MS 140.

The HSS 168 may contain a subscriber profile and may keep track of whichcore network node is currently handling the subscriber. It may alsosupport subscriber authentication and authorization functions (AAA). Innetworks with more than one HSS 168, a subscriber location functionprovides information on HSS 168 that contains the profile of a givensubscriber.

The MGCF 162 may provide interworking functionality between SIP sessioncontrol signaling from IMS 160 and ISUP/BICC call control signaling fromthe external GSTN networks (not shown). It also may control the mediagateway (MGW) 165 that provides user-plane interworking functionality(e.g., converting between AMR- and PCM-coded voice). The MGW 165 maycommunicate with other IP multimedia networks 166.

The Push to Talk over Cellular (PoC) capable mobile phones may registerwith the wireless network when the phones are in a predefined area(e.g., job site, etc.). When the mobile phones leave the area, they mayregister with the network in their new location as being outside thepredefined area. This registration, however, may not indicate the actualphysical location of the mobile phones outside the pre-defined area.

Any of the components described in relation to FIG. 2 may comprise aprocessor. A processor may include any hardware and/or softwarenecessary for operating and/or controlling the component and/orcomponents. A processor may have its own memory such as random accessmemory (RAM), register memory, cache memory, and the like. A processorassociated with a component may be in communication with one or more ofthe other components described in relation to FIG. 2.

A processor may operate on computer-executable instructions that may bestored on a computer-readable medium (e.g., a memory, disk, etc.).Computer-executable instructions may include computer-readableinstructions, for example machine code, byte code, script language,runtime code, and the like. The computer-executable instructions, whenexecuted by the processor, may for example cause the processor toperform one or more parts of the functions and methods herein described.

FIG. 3 illustrates an illustrative method of creating a data recordrelating to a communication routed through a network. At 302, acommunication may be initiated. For example, a phone call to/from amobile subscriber may be initiated. Alternatively, a text message, adata message, or other type of non-voice communication may be initiated.Any type of communication may be initiated and may cause the creation ofa data record relating to the communication. All such embodiments arecontemplated as within the scope of the present disclosure.

At 304, the communication may be routed through a network. Thecommunication may be a phone call routed through a network fortransmitting phone calls, such as the networks described in relation toFIGS. 1A, 1B and 2. For example, the call may be received/switched at acell tower and routed through a network; that is, there may be a switchassociated with the cell tower that serves to switch the call along toits destination. (see FIG. 1B and FIG. 2 for example).

An example of a call routed through a cellular telephone network may bea call placed from one mobile subscriber to another mobile subscriber.Another example may be a call placed to/from a mobile subscriber from/toa land line phone. Still another example may be a call placed to/from asatellite phone from/to a mobile subscriber. That is, a network thatswitches cellular telephone calls may be involved whenever one of theparties on a call is a mobile subscriber.

Components of the network may create a data record. At 306, a record maybe created relating to the communication. The record may containmultitudinous information fields that may include data relating to anytype of communication. For example, the communication may be a phonecall and the record may be a Call Detail Record (CDR). A CDR may includeinformation such as the phone number placing the call (i.e., theoriginating phone number), the subscriber associated with theoriginating number, the phone number receiving the call (i.e., thetarget phone number), the subscriber associated with the target phonenumber, the duration of the call, cell tower information, RFinterference encountered during the call, etc. For other types ofcommunications, such as text messages and data messages, acommunications record may be generated that may include information suchas the phone number associated with one or both of the deviceoriginating the message and the intended recipient device, otheridentifying data (e.g., IP address, IMSI) associated with one or both ofthe device originating the message and the intended recipient device, atype of communication, any of the data that may be used in a CDR, etc.

The record may be created and/or recorded by routing componentsassociated with routing the communication (e.g., BTS's 101, 102, 103,123, 141, BSC's 122, 142, etc.). Using the phone call example, a CDR maybe created or opened when a call connects with a cell tower where thecall is passed through a switch. When the call is completed, the CDR maybe closed, saved, and/or recorded in any manner. Further, there may beseveral different CDR's created, saved, and/or stored for any given calldepending on packet types, transferring the call from one tower toanother, etc. Further, the CDR may be created for purposes other thandetermining subscriber metrics (e.g., billing), which may avoidredundant creation of data.

At 308, the record may be sent to a server, e.g., a CDR may be sent toor retrieved by a server (CDR data may be streamed from a cell towerswitch to a server). It will be appreciated that a record may beprovided to or otherwise made available to a server on a real-time ornon-real-time basis following its creation at 306. For example, a recordmay be included as part of a plurality of records provided in a batch tothe server on a non-real-time basis. Likewise, because there may be manyswitching points in a network, CDR's may be forwarded to or retrieved bya server from many different locations. It should be noted that therouting function may be performed by any equipment capable of performingas herein described.

At 310, records may be normalized or standardized. For example, CDRinformation may be standardized. Standardization may be helpful becausethe server may receive multiple records that have different attributes,such as different formatting and/or non-standardized information fields.This may be likely to occur where records are sent to the server fromdifferent locations and/or types of equipment. For example, differentswitch manufacturers may have different standards for records.

FIG. 4 illustrates an illustrative method to determine subscriber metricinformation based on information in a record. At 412, an active serviceidentifier(s) may be identified (e.g., the record may identify theactive service identifier). The active service identifier may relate toa service provided by a carrier. For example, a phone number may be aservice identifier associated with phone service provided by a carrier,an internet service user account number may be a service identifier ofinternet service provided by a carrier, etc. An active serviceidentifier may refer to a service identifier that was used inassociation with the service for which a record was created. Forexample, a phone number may be identified as an originating number or atarget number in a CDR associated with a switched call; and thus, thephone number may be an active phone number. That is, if a calloriginated from a mobile subscriber, the number associated with theoriginating mobile subscriber may be an active number. Likewise, if acall was received by a mobile subscriber, the number associated with thereceiving mobile subscriber may be an active number. An active phonenumber may be an active service identifier.

An active service identifier may be compared to one or more databases todetermine which carrier is associated with the active serviceidentifier. In this way a number of active service identifiersassociated with a given carrier may be determined. At 414-418, anexample is illustrated using the phone call example. Note that similaractivities may be performed to determine a number of active serviceidentifiers associated with a given carrier using records relating totext, data, or any other type of communications.

At 414, for a phone number identified in a CDR, a determination may bemade as to the carrier to which the number was first assigned. One wayto determine the carrier originally assigned to a number is to comparethe number with data from the Local Exchange Routing Guide (LERG). TheLERG may include North American Numbering Plan (NANP) data. Such datamay include information about the operating company numbers (OCNs)assigned to each carrier and the blocks of numbers associated with eachOCN. Such blocks of numbers may be identified by the first six digitsfor each number within the block (which may be referred to as NPANXX).For example, a block of numbers may be associated with the digits123-456, and the block may include all numbers from 123-456-0000 through123-456-9999. Note that any other database or source of information maybe used to determine carriers originally or currently associated with aparticular telephone number. “Telephone number” as used herein may be aMobile Subscriber Integrated Services Digital Network Number (MSISDN) orany other identifier, identifying number, or number otherwise associatedwith a subscriber, a mobile device, and/or a component of a mobiledevice such as a subscriber identity module (SIM) card.

The LERG, or any other database or information source configured withthe appropriate data, may be used by a device and/or application toidentify a carrier to which a particular block of numbers is assigned.By comparing a number to the LERG, a determination may be made as towhich carrier was originally associated with the number.

At 416, a determination may be made as to whether the number was portedfrom the original carrier to another carrier. One way to determinewhether a number was ported away from the originally assigned carriermay be to compare the number with Local Number Portability (LNP) data.Such data may be retrieved from or originate at the Number PortabilityAdministration Center (NPAC) that tracks number porting changes for allcarriers.

At 418, the carrier associated with the number may be determined. Stillusing the phone call example, if there is no record in the LNP data thata number has been ported, it may be assumed that the number may beassociated with the originally assigned carrier. Likewise, if the LNPindicates that the number has been ported to a carrier, it may beassumed that the carrier listed in the LNP (i.e., the ported carrier) isthe present carrier associated with the number.

The subscriber metric information gathered as described in FIG. 4 may berepeated for many switched communications identifying many activeservice identifiers. Further, data may be gathered for a particularperiod of time. For example, the data may be gathered daily, weekly,bi-monthly, monthly, etc. The time periods used for gathering andorganizing the information is a matter of design choice.

By using active service identifiers as disclosed herein, it may bepossible to reduce or eliminate researching unassigned or inaccuratelylabeled service identifiers. Referring back to the example of the phonecall, because the prior art uses blocks of assigned numbers that may ormay not be active and may or may not be correctly assigned, resourcesare wasted. Because the methods herein described do not research activeservice identifiers that may be inactive or incorrectly assigned, thedisclosed subject matter may be more efficient than the prior art.

Moreover, by using active service identifiers that are associated withactual received requests for service, other types of communications thatare not necessarily associated with active devices are not used andtherefore do not introduce error into metrics. For example, mobiledevices that are turned on and communicating with a network, forexample, by transmitting and/or receiving keepalive traffic, but thatare not subscribed to any carrier or otherwise not able to engage incommunications with other end user devices will not be counted insubscriber metrics.

The presently disclosed embodiments may reduce error introduced bystatistical analysis. Because data may be gathered for a high percentageof active service identifiers, the error introduced by estimatingsubscriber metrics from only a small amount of data may be reduced.

The present embodiments may also make it easier for a carrier to performits own analysis and may avoid using a third party that does not havein-depth knowledge of the carrier's marketing goals and may haveconflicts of interest with the carrier (e.g., conflicts arising fromproviding subscriber metrics to multiple carriers).

Referring back to 304 in FIG. 3, and using the phone call example, CDRinformation is created for calls that interact with a network. There isa multiplication effect for carriers that route calls. That is, acarrier can access information not only for subscribers associated withthe carrier, but also from other subscribers associated with othercarriers. For example, consider a call from one mobile subscriberassociated with a first carrier to another mobile subscriber associatedwith a second carrier. The call may be routed at some point by the firstcarrier to the second carrier. Further, the first carrier may haveaccess to information about both subscribers from the CDR. Thus, thefirst carrier may receive information for more than just its ownsubscribers. Due to the multiplication effect, large carriers may beable to access information for a large majority of active subscribers.

In the disclosed embodiments, the data on active service identifiers isgenerated as communications are routed. Thus, separate SS7 queries arenot needed, and therefore fewer computing resources may be needed. Inaddition, a carrier may not add additional load to networks by makingSS7 queries.

Additional features may be added to the methods described in relation toFIG. 4 in order to track additional subscriber information. For example,FIG. 5 illustrates an illustrative method to determine deactivations.

At 520, present records may be compared to past records, e.g., presentCDR data may be compared to past CDR data. For example, a phone numbermay have been an active phone number in previous data sets as indicatedby past CDR's. However, the phone number may not appear in the currentdata set.

At 522, service identifiers may be identified that were in previous datasets, but not in current data sets, e.g., phone numbers may beidentified that were in previous data sets, but not in current data sets(i.e., missing numbers). For example, CDR data sets may be available forthe first four weeks of a year. A number may have been present in one ormore of weeks one through three. However, the number may not be presentin the CDR data set for week four.

At 524, trends may be identified in past data for service identifiers.The identified trends may aid in assessing deactivations. At 526, adetermination may be made as to whether the identified serviceidentifiers have been deactivated. Statistical analysis, algorithmsand/or set thresholds may be used to determine if an identified serviceidentifiers has been deactivated.

Consider the following examples relating to phone calls, but which canalso be generalized for other communications, including text messagesand data messages. For numbers showing no activity for two weeks, thenumber may be considered deactivated if the number was used to makeand/or receive more than a threshold number of calls (e.g., 20 calls perweek) for the three months prior to inactive period. Another rule may beused for numbers that may have been inactive for four weeks, but may nothave been classified as deactivated by the two week data. For example,for numbers showing no activity for four weeks, the number may beconsidered deactivated if the number was used to make and/or receivemore than a threshold number of calls per month (e.g., 10 calls permonth) for the three months prior to inactive period. Another rule maybe used for numbers that may have been inactive for twelve weeks, butmay not have been classified as deactivated by the two or four weekdata. For example, for numbers showing no activity for twelve weeks, thenumber may be considered deactivated if the number was used to makeand/or receive more than a threshold number of calls per quarter (e.g.,10 calls per quarter) for the three months prior to inactive period.

The foregoing examples are matters of design choice. Irrespective of thedesign choice, a carrier may set rules to determine deactivations fromtrends in records, such as CDR data.

At 528, a backcheck of service identifiers errantly identified asdeactivated may be performed. Using the phone call example, a number mayhave been identified as deactivated (e.g., a number may have satisfiedone of the above examples). However, the number previously identified asdeactivated in an earlier time period may be listed in the present dataset as an active number, still associated with the same subscriber andthe same carrier as the last time it was active (e.g. calling patternsare the same). Thus, the number may have been errantly identified asdeactivated.

Time limits may be placed on the amount of time that passes for aservice identifier to still be considered errantly identified asdeactivated. For example, if a year passed with no activity from theservice identifier, the service identifier may not be considerederrantly identified as deactivated.

At 530, a correction process may be performed. The correction processmay base a correction on such things as trends in record data or serviceidentifiers errantly identified as deactivated at 528. Using the phonecall example, trends in CDR data may reveal that a certain month mayhave many more numbers without activity than other months, increasingthe chance of errantly identifying numbers as deactivated. Adjustmentsmay be performed to make an allowance for such a trend. A correctionprocess may be performed to adjust the determination at 526 to be lessstringent (i.e., require a passage of more time before a serviceidentifier is identified as deactivated).

Another example may be a phone number that has only sporadic activitywith lengthy periods of inactivity between uses. Such a mobilesubscriber may be a “glove box user,” that is, a mobile subscriber thatmay keep a phone for emergencies or specific functions and does not usethe number in a consistent way. If a number is identified as being usedonly in such a sporadic manner, a correction process may be performed toadjust the determination at 526 to be less stringent or to remove thenumber from consideration as a deactivated number.

The foregoing examples are matters of design choice. Irrespective of thedesign choice, records may be used to identify trends to makecorrections to the process.

FIG. 6 illustrates methods to determine subscriber metrics byaggregating data. At 632, subscriber metrics may be determined foractive service identifiers. Referring back to FIG. 4, at 412-418subscriber metric information is determined (e.g., a carrier associatedwith an active service identifier is identified).

At 632, carrier determinations may be aggregated to provide a number ofservice identifiers/subscribers associated with a given carrier. Forexample, the determination made in FIG. 4 (e.g., at 418) may be repeatedfor a large amount of communications. The large amount of communicationsmay identify a large amount of active service identifiers. Asillustrated in FIG. 4, a carrier associated with each of the activeservice identifiers may be identified. Further, each of the activeservice identifiers associated with a first carrier may be aggregated.That is, by adding together each subscriber associated with the firstcarrier, a number of subscribers associated with the first carrier maybe determined. Likewise, each of the active service identifiersassociated with a second carrier may be aggregated resulting in a numberof subscribers associated with the second carrier. This process may berepeated for other carriers. The carrier subscriber data may be used todetermine other subscriber metrics.

The carrier subscriber data may also be used to determine a market sharefor a carrier. For example, a market share for the first carrier may bedetermined by calculating the ratio of the number of subscribersassociated with the first carrier in a market to a total number ofsubscribers in the market (e.g., the total number of unique subscribersor unique active service identifiers identified in the communicationrecords).

At 634, subscriber metrics may be determined based upon analysis ofpresent record data compared to past record data. For example, FIG. 5illustrates determining a deactivation based on such data. Byaggregating such data, subscriber metrics may be created for absolutenumbers of deactivations per carrier, percentage of deactivations percarrier, etc.

At 636, statistical analysis and/or extrapolation of the subscribermetrics determined at 632 and/or 634 may be used to calculate subscribermetrics for the rest of a market (e.g., national market, regionalmarket, local market, micromarket, etc.). At 632 and/or 634, subscribermetrics may have been calculated for a market. However, the subscribermetrics calculated at 632 and/or 634 may provide data for active serviceidentifiers that were identified by switched communications. There maybe other active service identifiers in the market that were not switchedon the network at which the record data was generated. That is, thesubscriber metrics calculated at 632 and/or 634 may represent less thanall of the active service identifiers/subscribers in a given market.

Statistical analysis may be performed on the data collected in order toestimate subscriber metrics for the part of the market not identified incommunications switched by the network. The statistical analysis may beas simple as extrapolating from the numbers calculated at 632 and/or 634using detailed algorithms. As an example of the statistical analysisthat may be employed, algorithms may be used to estimate activity levelsof non-measured subscribers. Results may be reconciled againsthistorical patterns or national reported carrier data for example, thus,subscriber metrics for a market can be provided. The methods used toestimate subscriber metrics for the remaining active service identifiers(i.e., active service identifiers that were not routed through thenetwork) is a matter of design choice. Irrespective of design choice,the data at 632 and/or 634 may be processed to estimate data for activeservice identifiers that were not switched by a carrier's network.

At 638, the subscriber metrics determined at 632, 634 and/or 636 may becombined to provide subscriber metrics. For example, at 632 the numberof subscribers per carrier may be calculated for switched communicationsin a market (e.g., communications that were switched by a carrier'snetwork). At 636, the number of subscribers per carrier may becalculated for active service identifiers that were not identified byswitched communications in a market. The data at 632 and 636 may becombined to provide the total number of subscribers per carrier in amarket. Further, a market share for a given carrier may be calculated(e.g., a market share for a first carrier may be determined bycalculating the ratio of the number of subscribers associated with thefirst carrier in a market to a total number of subscribers in themarket, which in an embodiment may be determined from the total numberof unique subscribers or unique active service identifiers identified incommunication records).

It may be difficult to measure an total number of active subscribers ina market directly regardless of the size of the carrier network fromwhich direct capture of service requests and/or active serviceidentifiers is performed. Therefore, in an embodiment, an initial countof subscribers for a particular carrier in a first area may be adjustedby a percentage factor. Such a percentage factor may be determined bycomparing a count of subscribers for the particular carrier for a secondarea to a publicly reported count of subscribers for the particularcarrier for the second area to determine a percentage difference betweenthe two second area counts. The percentage difference may be used toadjust the initial count of subscribers for the particular carrier inthe first area to obtain a more accurate count of actual subscribers forthe particular carrier in the first area. The second area may be largerthan the first area, or the first area may be larger than the secondarea. Alternatively, the first and second areas may be of equal orapproximately equal size.

FIG. 7 illustrates an illustrative non-limiting method of implementingsuch an embodiment. At block 710, an internally determined count ofsubscribers for a particular carrier for a first area may be obtainedusing any means and/or system described herein, any other means and/orsystem, or any combination thereof. This count may be a count of uniquesubscribers associated with a particular carrier for the first area. Atblock 720, a publicly disclosed count of subscribers for a particularcarrier for a second area may be obtained. The publicly disclosed countmay be obtained or derived from a subscriber count disclosed by theparticular carrier itself through typical channels, or a subscribercount disclosed by industry analysis, news reporting, or any othersource. At block 730, an internally determined subscriber count for theparticular carrier for the second area may be obtained. This count, likethat for the first area, may be obtained using any means and/or systemdescribed herein, any other means and/or system, or any combinationthereof. At block 740, the percentage difference between the publiclydisclosed count of subscribers for the particular carrier for the secondarea the internally determined subscriber count for the particularcarrier for the second area may be determined. At block 750, thesubscriber count for the particular carrier for the first area may beadjusted by the percentage difference determined at block 740.

A non-limiting example will now be provided to help clarify the methodof FIG. 7. An accurate number of subscribers for a particular carrier ina particular market area (e.g., a city, a state, etc.) may be desired. Acount may be made (according to any embodiment disclosed herein orotherwise) of subscribers for the particular carrier in the particularmarket area. An internal count may also be made of subscribers for theparticular carrier nationwide (according to any embodiment disclosedherein or otherwise). This internal count may be compared to theparticular carrier's announced subscriber count and a percentagedifference may be determined. For example, it may be determined that theparticular carrier is claiming to have 20% more subscribers than isindicated by the internal count. Thus, to obtain a more accuratesubscriber count for the particular carrier in the particular marketarea, the count made of subscribers for the particular carrier in theparticular market area may be increased by 20%.

In another embodiment, a capture/recapture method may be used todetermine subscriber counts for a particular carrier in a particulararea. Such a method may estimate a carrier's subscriber count bycomparing the relative proportions of unique active service identifiers(and therefore subscribers) captured in successive samples. For example,a first count of subscribers for a particular carrier in a particulararea (according to any embodiment disclosed herein or otherwise) may beobtained during a first time frame. A second count of subscribers forthe same particular area may be obtained during a second time frame. Anamount of overlap may then be determined, which may be the number ofunique subscribers appearing in both counts. To determine the subscribercount estimate, the two counts are multiplied by each other and thendivided by the overlap.

FIG. 8 illustrates an illustrative non-limiting method of implementingsuch an embodiment. In the description of FIG. 8, example subscribercount numbers will be used. This example is for illustrative purposesonly and is not to be construed to be limiting in any way.

At block 810, a first count of subscribers for a particular carrier fora first area may be obtained for a first time period using any meansand/or system described herein, any other means and/or system, or anycombination thereof. This count may be a count of unique subscribersassociated with a particular carrier for the first area during the firsttime period. The first time period may be any time period, such as aday, a week, a month, a year, etc. In an illustrative example, the firstcount may be 8,700 subscribers. At block 820, a second count ofsubscribers for a particular carrier for the first area may be obtainedfor a second time period using any means and/or system described herein,any other means and/or system, or any combination thereof. This countmay be a count of unique subscribers associated with a particularcarrier for the first area during the second time period. The secondtime period may be a time period distinct from the first time period,and may be any time period, such as a day, a week, a month, a year, etc.Continuing the illustrative example, the second count may be 8,500subscribers. In an embodiment, the first time period and the second timeperiod are the same length of time and occur at different times. Forexample, the first time period may be January of a particular year, andthe second time period may be February of the same year. Any combinationof time periods, of similar or different lengths, is contemplated aswithin the scope of the present disclosure.

At block 830, the overlap of subscribers between the first count and thesecond count may be determined. The overlap may be the number ofsubscribers that are counted in both the first count and the secondcount. Continuing the illustrative example, the overlap between thefirst count and the second count may be 7,500 subscribers. At block 840,the estimated subscriber count may be determined by multiplying thefirst count by the second count, and dividing the product of the firstcount and the second count by the overlap. Continuing the illustrativeexample, the estimated subscriber count may be determined by multiplying8,700 (first count) by 8,500 (second count), and then dividing theproduct by 7,500 (overlap) to give an estimated 9,860 subscribers:

(8,700×8,500)÷7,500=9,860

In an embodiment, the method of FIG. 8 may be performed on a “rolling”basis, with the method being performed following each successive timeperiod in order to keep a current estimate of subscribers. For example,at the end of every month, week, or other time period, the method ofFIG. 8 may be performed using the most recently ended time period andthe next most recently ended time period to obtain up to date estimatesof subscriber counts. The estimate generated by this embodiment may befurther adjusted, including as disclosed herein, to account for newadditions and/or new disconnections.

In an embodiment, the quantity and frequency of interaction with anetwork may be used to determine if a particular phone number or otherdevice or subscriber identifier is for a new subscriber or a recentlydisconnected subscriber. Such a determination may be based on servicerequest records and/or data, such as CDRs. For example, if a telephonenumber associated with a mobile device appears in one or more CDRs inone time periods and has not been detected in any of the previous suchtime periods, this number may be determined to be associated with a newsubscriber for the carrier associated with the number. Similarly, if anumber that has repeatedly appeared in CDRs for the past several timeperiods is no longer detected, this number may be determined to bedisconnected or no longer a subscriber to a particular carrier.

Threshold values may be used to determine whether to count a particularnumber as a new subscriber or recent disconnect. FIG. 9 illustrates anillustrative non-limiting method of implementing such an embodiment todetermine whether a newly detected telephone number is a new subscriber.In the description of FIG. 9, an example using example values for timeperiods will be used. This example is for illustrative purposes only andis not to be construed to be limiting in any way.

At block 910, in analyzing records for a current time period (e.g., mostrecently ended time period or time period of current interest) a numbermay be detected that was not found in one or more time periods prior tothe current time period. For example, a number may be detected in therecords for the most recently ended month that was not seen in theprevious six months' records. The records of any number of time periodsmay be compared to a more recent time period to determine if the numberis newly detected.

At block 920, a determination may be made as to the quantity of contactwith the network the newly detected number has had. For example, it maybe determined that in the past month, 20 calls or requests for servicehave been detected. This may indicate that the newly detected number isassociated with a new subscriber who will be regularly using the networkat a similar rate. Alternatively, it may be determined that the newlydetected number transmitted only one request for service in the pastmonth. This may indicate that the newly detected number is associatedwith a very infrequent user of a mobile device, and therefore is notactually associated with a new subscriber.

At block 930, a determination may be made as to whether the quantity ofcontact meets or exceeds a threshold. The threshold may be any valuethat may be used to determine whether a newly detected number isassociated with a new subscriber or an infrequent user. For example, itmay be determined that less than three attempts to place a call orotherwise request service may indicate that the associated number is aninfrequent user, while three or more attempts to place a call orotherwise request service may indicate that the associated number is fora new subscriber. If it is determined that the quantity of networkcontact meets or exceeds the threshold, the newly detected number may becounted as a new subscriber at block 940. If the quantity of networkcontact is below the threshold, the newly detected number may counted asan infrequent user at block 950, or alternatively not counted in aparticular category, or in another alternative counted merely as anexisting subscriber.

FIG. 10 illustrates an illustrative non-limiting method of implementingan embodiment to determine whether a telephone number is associated witha disconnected subscriber. In the description of FIG. 10, an exampleusing example values for time periods will be used. This example is forillustrative purposes only and is not to be construed to be limiting inany way.

At block 1001, in analyzing records for a current time period (e.g.,most recently ended time period or time period of current interest) anumber may not be detected that was detected in one or more time periodsprior to the current time period. For example, a number may not bedetected in the records for the most recently ended month after it wasdetected during each of the previous six months' records. The records ofany number of time periods may be compared to a more recent time periodto determine if the number has been previously detected.

At block 1002, a determination may be made as to the quantity of contactwith the network the newly missing number had. For example, it may bedetermined that in month prior to the most recent month, more than 20calls or requests for service have been detected. This may indicate thatthe newly missing number was associated with a subscriber who regularlyused the network, but is now not using it at all. Alternatively, it maybe determined that the newly missing number had transmitted only a tworequests for service over the past six months. This may indicate thatthe newly missing number is associated with a very infrequent user of amobile device, and therefore is not actually associated with a nowdisconnected subscriber.

At block 1003, a determination may be made as to whether the change inthe quantity of contact over the analyzed time periods meets or exceedsa threshold. The threshold may be any value that may be used todetermine whether a newly missing number is associated with adisconnected subscriber or an infrequent user. For example, it may bedetermined that a change of one call a month the previous three monthsto no calls for the most recent month may indicate that the associatednumber is an infrequent user but likely not disconnected, while a changefrom 20 calls a month on average to no calls in the most recent monthmay indicate that the newly missing number is associated with adisconnected subscriber. If it is determined that change in the quantityof network contact meets or exceeds the threshold, the newly missednumber may be counted as a subscriber disconnect at block 1004. If thechange in the quantity of network contact is below the threshold, thenewly missing number may counted as an infrequent user at block 1005, oralternatively not counted in a particular category, or in anotheralternative counted merely as an existing subscriber.

In an embodiment, the determinations of added subscribers anddisconnected subscribers may be verified by comparison to publiclydisclosed numbers of added and disconnected subscribers issued bycarriers and/or other channels of information distribution. If thepublicly disclosed numbers of added and disconnected subscribers are fora large area, for example, nationwide, then numbers for smaller areas,such as city or state markets, may be adjusted based on the publiclydisclosed numbers, in one embodiment as disclosed herein including usingmethod similar to that of FIG. 7.

FIG. 11 shows an example illustrative non-limiting method ofimplementing an embodiment to determine whether telephone numbersassociated with a text blast are active telephone numbers and removingsuch numbers from subscriber data. A “text blast” may occur when onedevice contacts a high number of recipients by sending such recipients amessage, such as a text message. Alternatively, a text blast may be anoccurrence of a large number of messages, each addressed to a differenttelephone number, that originate from a single telephone number. A textblast may be directed to all numbers within a block of telephonenumbers, such as a block of numbers associated with an OCN.Alternatively, a text blast may be location based. For example, manynumbers associated with a particular geographical location may berecipients of a text blast. The originating number and the recipientnumbers may be on the same carrier, on different carriers, or some ofthe recipients may be on one or more different carriers than theoriginating number while some of the recipients may be on the samecarrier as the originating number. Since a text blast may involvesending a message to all numbers within a block of numbers, many, andpossibly most, of the recipient numbers could be inactive telephonenumbers. Thus, it may be desirable to remove such inactive recipientnumbers from any data that is used to determine subscriber metrics.

At block 1006, a spike in a ratio of inactive telephone numbers to totaltelephone numbers for a particular carrier may be detected. For example,if the percentage of inactive telephone numbers to total detectedtelephone numbers for an area (e.g., a geographical area) during acurrent time period has risen above a threshold difference when comparedto a previous time period, it may be determined that a text blast mayhave been detected. While in an embodiment the current ratio orpercentage of inactive telephone numbers to total detected telephonenumbers for an area may be compared to the next most recent ratio orpercentage for that area, any two or more ratios or percentages may becompared. Also note that the threshold may be set to any value,including a default value or a predetermined value, and may be adjustedbased on any criteria.

At block 1007, a break in a trend of gross additions or disconnectionsof subscribers for a particular carrier may be detected. In the courseof determining subscriber metrics, trends may be detected and/ordetermined for particular carriers. For example, it may be determinedthat one particular carrier is seeing an average of a five percentincrease in subscribers each month in a particular area. If the trend ina subsequent month jumps above a threshold, it may be determined that atext blast may have occurred. Here again, note that the threshold may beset to any value and may be adjusted based on any criteria. Also notethat the activities and functions of block 1006 and 1007 may beperformed concurrently, separately, or one or the other of blocks 1006and 1007 may be performed alone. All such embodiments are contemplatedas within the scope of the present disclosure.

At block 1008, a determination may be made as to whether the spike in aratio of inactive telephone numbers to total telephone numbers and/orthe break in a trend of gross additions or disconnections of subscribersis due to an increase in inactive numbers. Note that any otheractivities that indicate a level of traffic that is outside of adetermined normal level of traffic may trigger the evaluation at block1008. If the spike, break in trend, or other detected activity isdetermined to be due to an increase in inactive numbers, at block 1009it may be determined that a text blast has occurred, and gross additionsand/or disconnections may be adjusted, for example, by removing theinactive telephone numbers associated with the text blast from thedetermined gross additions for that particular carrier. In anembodiment, each recipient number associated with a text blast may beevaluated to determine if that number has had any other interaction withthe network. If not, the particular number may be marked or otherwisenoted as inactive and may be removed from the determined total of grossadditions for the carrier associated with the number. Alternatively, itmay be determined whether each recipient number associated with a textblast has only been the recipient number for text messages (as opposedto an origination number) and/or has only been the recipient number fortelephone call requests and no call requests have been answered. If so,such numbers may be indicated as inactive and may be removed from thedetermined total of gross additions for the carrier associated with thenumber.

In either such embodiment, and any other embodiments set forth herein,any device within a carrier's network may be queried to determinewhether any interactions have occurred involving a suspected inactivetelephone number and to obtain the details of such interactions. Calldetails records and/or any other data may be used to determine suchinteractions. In another embodiment, an HLR may be queried for suchdata. Note that any of the embodiments described herein and any othermeans or methods for determining whether a telephone number is an activeor inactive telephone number, as well as any combinations thereof, maybe used in determining whether numbers associated with a text blast areactive or inactive.

If the break in the trend and/or the spike in a ratio or percentage ofinactive telephone numbers to total telephone numbers is not due to anincrease in inactive numbers, for example when the spike or break in thetrend is due to actual subscriber additions or the release of a newproduct or feature, at block 1010 it may be determined that no textblast has occurred and no text blast adjustments may be made to grossadditions and/or disconnections.

The results of any analysis performed using any of the systems andmethods described herein may be further refined by determiningadditional characteristics of the analyzed records and furthercategorizing the subscribers associated with the records. For example,once a number of subscribers, a number of new subscribers, or a numberof disconnected subscribers is determined, further data may bedetermined for each set of subscribers and used for additional analysis.Billing, call, and other carrier records may be used to determinedemographic data of subscribers, typical utilization levels ofsubscribers, communications plan selections of subscribers, etc.

For example, upon determining a market share for a particular carrier ina particular market, geographical destinations of calls may bedetermined from call records associated with the subscribers associatedwith that carrier. From this data, a percentage or number of subscribersthat are frequent international callers, for example, may be determined.This may indicate that this group of subscribers are recent immigrantsor heavy international services users. This data may instead be used todetermine the primary language of such subscribers, which may assist inmarketing efforts. For example, a percentage of subscribers for aparticular carrier that frequently call Spanish speaking countries maybe determined, and that data may be used for various additional analysisand decision-making, such as the allotment of marketing resources.

Alternatively, demographic information from other sources, such ascensus information, market area surveys, etc. may be compared tocommunications record data to determine demographic information forsubscribers. For example, addresses from billing records for subscribersassociated with a particular carrier in a particular market (e.g., byanalysis of communication records) may be overlaid on census data todetermine a likely ethnicity, household income, primary spoken language,etc. for such subscribers. This resulting data may then be used forvarious additional analysis and decision-making, such as the allotmentof marketing resources.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example wireless device 1020 that may be used inconnection with an embodiment. References will also be made to otherfigures of the present disclosure as appropriate. For example, any ofthe subscribers described herein may be associated with or operating awireless devices of the type described in regard to FIG. 12, and suchdevices may have some, all, or none of the components and modulesdescribed in regard to FIG. 12. It will be appreciated that thecomponents and modules of wireless device 1020 illustrated in FIG. 12are illustrative, and that any number and type of components and/ormodules may be present in wireless device 1020. In addition, thefunctions performed by any or all of the components and modulesillustrated in FIG. 12 may be performed by any number of physicalcomponents. Thus, it is possible that in some embodiments thefunctionality of more than one component and/or module illustrated inFIG. 12 may be performed by any number or types of hardware and/orsoftware.

Processor 1021 may be any type of circuitry that performs operations onbehalf of wireless device 1020. Such circuitry may include circuitry andother components that enable processor 1021 to perform any of thefunctions and methods described herein. Such circuitry and othercomponents may also enable processor 1021 to communicate and/or interactwith other devices and components, for example any other component ofdevice of wireless device 1020, in such a manner as to enable processor1021 and such other devices and/or components to perform any of thedisclosed functions and methods. In one embodiment, processor 1021executes software (i.e., computer readable instructions stored in acomputer readable medium) that may include functionality related todetermining subscriber metrics, for example. User interface module 1022may be any type or combination of hardware and/or software that enablesa user to operate and interact with wireless device 1020, and, in oneembodiment, to interact with a system or software enabling the user toplace, request, and/or receive calls, text communications of any type,voicemail, voicemail notifications, voicemail content and/or data,and/or a system or software enabling the user to view, modify, or deleterelated software objects. For example, user interface module 1022 mayinclude a display, physical and/or “soft” keys, voice recognitionsoftware, a microphone, a speaker and the like. Wireless communicationmodule 1023 may be any type of transceiver including any combination ofhardware and/or software that enables wireless device 1020 tocommunicate with wireless network equipment. Memory 1024 enableswireless device 1020 to store information, such as text communicationscontent and associated data, multimedia content, software to efficientlyprocess radio resource requests and service requests, and radio resourcerequest processing preferences and configurations. Memory 1024 may takeany form, such as internal random access memory (RAM), an SD card, amicroSD card and the like. Power supply 1025 may be a battery or othertype of power input (e.g., a charging cable that is connected to anelectrical outlet, etc.) that is capable of powering wireless device1020. SIM 1026 may be any type Subscriber Identity Module and may beconfigured on a removable or non-removable SIM card that allows wirelessdevice 1020 to store data on SIM 1026.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of an example processor 1158 which may beemployed in any of the embodiments described herein, including as one ormore components of a mobile devices operated by a subscriber, as one ormore components of network equipment that may detect and processrequests for network resources such as call requests, any othercomponent of networks described herein, and/or any related equipment,and/or as one or more components of any third party system or subsystemthat may implement any portion of the subject matter described herein.It is emphasized that the block diagram depicted in FIG. 13 isillustrative and not intended to imply a specific implementation. Thus,the processor 1158 can be implemented in a single processor or multipleprocessors. Multiple processors can be distributed or centrally located.Multiple processors can communicate wirelessly, via hard wire, or acombination thereof. Processor 1158 may include circuitry and othercomponents that enable processor 1158 to perform any of the functionsand methods described herein. Such circuitry and other components mayalso enable processor 1158 to communicate and/or interact with otherdevices and components, for example any other component of any devicedisclosed herein or any other device, in such a manner as to enableprocessor 1158 and such other devices and/or components to perform anyof the disclosed functions and methods.

As depicted in FIG. 13, the processor 1158 comprises a processingportion 1160, a memory portion 1162, and an input/output portion 1164.The processing portion 1160, memory portion 1162, and input/outputportion 1164 are coupled together (coupling not shown in FIG. 13) toallow communications between these portions. The input/output portion1164 is capable of providing and/or receiving components, commands,and/or instructions, utilized to, for example, request and receive callrequests and other service requests, establish and terminatecommunications sessions, transmit and receive service request responsesand data access request data and responses, transmit, receive, store andprocess text, data, and voice communications, execute software thatprocesses radio resource requests, receive and store service requestsand radio resource requests, radio resource request processingpreferences and configurations, and/or perform any other functiondescribed herein.

The processor 1158 may be implemented as a client processor and/or aserver processor. In a basic configuration, the processor 1158 mayinclude at least one processing portion 1160 and memory portion 1162.The memory portion 1162 can store any information utilized inconjunction with establishing, transmitting, receiving, and/orprocessing text, data, and/or voice communications,communications-related data and/or content, voice calls, othertelephonic communications, etc. For example, the memory portion iscapable of storing service requests, radio resource requests, QoS and/oraccess point name parameters, software for a subscriber metricsdetermination and analysis, text and data communications, calls,voicemail, multimedia content, visual voicemail applications, etc.Depending upon the exact configuration and type of processor, the memoryportion 1162 can be volatile (such as RAM) 1166, non-volatile (such asROM, flash memory, etc.) 1168, or a combination thereof. The processor1158 can have additional features/functionality. For example, theprocessor 1158 may include additional storage (removable storage 1170and/or non-removable storage 1172) including, but not limited to,magnetic or optical disks, tape, flash, smart cards or a combinationthereof. Computer storage media, such as memory and storage elements1162, 1170, 1172, 1166, and 1168, may include volatile and nonvolatile,removable and non-removable media implemented in any method ortechnology for storage of information such as computer readableinstructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Computerstorage media include, but are not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flashmemory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD)or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magneticdisk storage or other magnetic storage devices, universal serial bus(USB) compatible memory, smart cards, or any other tangible medium thatmay be used to store the desired information and that can be accessed bythe processor 1158. Any such computer storage media may be part of theprocessor 1158.

The processor 1158 may also contain the communications connection(s)1180 that allow the processor 1158 to communicate with other devices,for example through a radio access network (RAN). Communicationsconnection(s) 1180 is an example of communication media. Communicationmedia typically embody computer-readable instructions, data structures,program modules or other data in a modulated data signal such as acarrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes any informationdelivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means a signal that hasone or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as toencode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation,communication media includes wired media such as a wired network ordirect-wired connection as might be used with a land line telephone, andwireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared, cellular, and otherwireless media. The term computer-readable media as used herein includesboth storage media and communication media. The processor 1158 also canhave input device(s) 1176 such as keyboard, keypad, mouse, pen, voiceinput device, touch input device, etc. Output device(s) 1174 such as adisplay, speakers, printer, etc. also can be included.

Reference is made herein to the methods being performed by a carrierwith a network. However, the systems and methods disclosed herein arenot limited to implementation by a single carrier with a single network.For example, multiple carriers may share data. Further, a single carriermay have access to more than its own network.

Reference is made herein to records generated and used in order toprovide subscriber metrics. The creation of subscriber metrics as hereindescribed may be for particular periods of time. For example, recordsmay be created during a two week period. Further, subscriber metrics maybe created from the records, thus, providing subscriber metrics for thattwo week period. The time periods used for gathering and organizing theinformation is a matter of design choice.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: analyzing, via a processor,telecommunication information corresponding to information routedthrough a switching point in a telecommunications network, thetelecommunication information comprising a plurality of source activeservice identifiers and a plurality of recipient active serviceidentifiers; and determining, based on the analyzing, demographicinformation associated with at least one of a source active serviceidentifier or a recipient active service identifier contained in thetelecommunication information.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein thedemographic information comprises a spoken language of a subscriberassociated with at least one of a source active service identifier or arecipient active service identifier contained in the telecommunicationinformation.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the demographicinformation comprises an ethnicity of a subscriber associated with atleast one of a source active service identifier or a recipient activeservice identifier contained in the telecommunication information. 4.The method of claim 1, wherein the demographic information comprises ahousehold income of a subscriber associated with at least one of asource active service identifier or a recipient active serviceidentifier contained in the telecommunication information.
 5. The methodof claim 1, wherein the demographic information is based on a callassociated with at least one of a source active service identifier or arecipient active service identifier contained in the telecommunicationinformation being an international call.
 6. The method of claim 1,wherein the demographic information is based on at least one of ageographic destination or a geographic source of a call associated withat least one of a source active service identifier or a recipient activeservice identifier contained in the telecommunication information. 7.The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining, based on theanalyzing, an associated carrier for at least one of a source activeservice identifier or a recipient active service identifier contained inthe telecommunication information.
 8. The method of claim 7, furthercomprising: determining, based on the analyzing, a market share of thecarrier.
 9. An apparatus comprising: a processor; and memory coupled tothe processor, the memory comprising executable instructions that whenexecuted by the processor cause the processor to effectuate operationscomprising: analyzing telecommunication information corresponding toinformation routed through a switching point in a telecommunicationsnetwork, the telecommunication information comprising a plurality ofsource active service identifiers and a plurality of recipient activeservice identifiers; determining, based on the analyzing, demographicinformation associated with at least one of a source active serviceidentifier or a recipient active service identifier contained in thetelecommunication information.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein thedemographic information comprises a spoken language of a subscriberassociated with at least one of a source active service identifier or arecipient active service identifier contained in the telecommunicationinformation.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the demographicinformation comprises an ethnicity of a subscriber associated with atleast one of a source active service identifier or a recipient activeservice identifier contained in the telecommunication information. 12.The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the demographic information comprisesa household income of a subscriber associated with at least one of asource active service identifier or a recipient active serviceidentifier contained in the telecommunication information.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 9, wherein the demographic information is based on acall associated with at least one of a source active service identifieror a recipient active service identifier contained in thetelecommunication information being an international call.
 14. Theapparatus of claim 9, wherein the demographic information is based on atleast one of a geographic destination or a geographic source of a callassociated with at least one of a source active service identifier or arecipient active service identifier contained in the telecommunicationinformation.
 15. The apparatus of claim 9, the operations furthercomprising: determining, based on the analyzing, an associated carrierfor at least one of a source active service identifier or a recipientactive service identifier contained in the telecommunicationinformation.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15, the operations furthercomprising: determining, based on the analyzing, a market share of thecarrier.
 17. A computer-readable storage medium that is not apropagating signal, the computer-readable signal comprising executableinstruction that when executed by a processor cause the processor toeffectuate operations comprising: analyzing telecommunicationinformation corresponding to information routed through a switchingpoint in a telecommunications network, the telecommunication informationcomprising a plurality of source active service identifiers and aplurality of recipient active service identifiers; determining, based onthe analyzing, demographic information associated with at least one of asource active service identifier or a recipient active serviceidentifier contained in the telecommunication information.
 18. Thecomputer-readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the demographicinformation comprises a spoken language of a subscriber associated withat least one of a source active service identifier or a recipient activeservice identifier contained in the telecommunication information. 19.The computer-readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein thedemographic information comprises an ethnicity of a subscriberassociated with h at least one of a source active service identifier ora recipient active service identifier contained in the telecommunicationinformation.
 20. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 17,wherein the demographic information is based on a call associated withat least one of a source active service identifier or a recipient activeservice identifier contained in the telecommunication information beingan international call.